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No time to waste
08-Oct-2007
The question of interim leadership of the movement against Islamic regime in Iranian opposition seem to have turned into a curse lingering above opposition groups for more then two decades now.
Islamic rulers of Iran were very successful in disabling all oppositions to them by resorting to extreme slogans and actions in the beginning and then using “god given gift” of Iran-Iraq war, which started in best possible time for newly established Islamic Republic in those chaotic days.
After taking away the slogans of “death to America” and “death to Israel” from leftist groups, which seemed to have dominated the atmosphere of politics through chanting extremist slogans, Islamic regime was able to impose itself as the champion of “anti Americanism” by organizing a suspicious move in attacking and occupying Embassy of United States.
The irony is that same Islamic rulers opposed to occupation of same embassy, as an accepted norm in international relations, a few months earlier and kicked a group of armed leftists groups of Mujaahedin and Fadaaeeyaan khalq, which were considered as two “arms of revolution” by some people, out of the embassy!
Occupation of American embassy by a group, which later called themselves “Muslim students who follow Khomeini”, opened a new chapter in the life of Islamic regime and the future events which were connected to this event, one way or another. After occupation of American embassy, Islamic rulers who had put on a great show of “anti imperialism” through slogans and actions, had the opportunity to implicate anyone they wished as American spies, by linking them to American embassy with “documented proofs” coming out of the embassy!
Many members of the interim government of Mr. Bazargan whom was appointed by Khomeini himself to form the first Islamic revolutionary government in Iran, were among those who were accused of conspiring against “Islamic Revolution” because of their numerous contacts with American officials regarding different issues.
A few months afterwards, discovery of Nojeh coup by Islamic regime resulted in execution of many military and non-military personnel and a wide spread wave of killing of Iranian people for anything which was considered “anti revolutionaries” by theocratic regime’s revolutionary judges.
This process started by extending the rulings of Islamic revolutionary courts to some of former allies of the revolution which were only applied to elements of previous regime about a year earlier! During those months that some of the forces, currently opposing to Islamic regime, still considered themselves part of revolution, the last prime minister of previous regime, Dr. Shapur Bakhtiar, had started a nationalist resistance movement against Islamic regime with help and cooperation of some of friends and allies under his leadership.
Strangely enough, late Dr. Bakhtiar was criticized and opposed by some of the opposition forces that instead of joining his movement had decided to discredit him and question his leadership! Right or wrong, some people believe that Nojeh coup was linked with Dr. Bakhtiar’s resistance movement and its failure was a major blow to spirit of opposition forces at that time.
Another member of former system who had also initiated a nationalist resistance movement was Dr. Manouchehr Ganji who served as a minister in previous regime. This movement and its leadership was also target of critiques by many who not only did not take any practical measure against the suppressive “revolutionary” regime but also did not have anything to offer other than same old worthless “politically correct” and endless “talks”! I was inside the country in some of those years and could see how a big portion of Iranian society, was enthusiastically following the activities of these two groups that could reach their voice to Iranian people inside the country through short wave radios.
The feeling of regret about the whole business of “revolution” and its consequence which had taken over the nation in first few months after “Islamic revolution”, turned into a huge disappointment after major crackdown on secular opposition forces who were under extreme pressure and in constant retreat against Islamic regime’s suppression.
Start of Iran-Iraq war provided the brutal revolutionary regime with yet another excuse to expand its suppressive actions against Iranian people and opposition forces while all of those forces had lined up behind Islamic government to avoid being accused of betrayal to the nation. The war became the best tool to measure the loyalty of people to revolutionary regime and war, was called a “gift from god” by leader of Islamic revolution, ayatollah Khomeini.
About a year later, explosion of the office of “Islamic Republic Party” which was attributed to former ally of Islamic regime, the group of Mujahedin Khalq, resulted in killing of many major figures of Islamic regime but the consequence of that event for Iranian people was nothing other than more brutal suppression and in wider scale.
Many young Iranians, as young as 12-14 years old, were executed because of having a piece of paper from Mujahedin Khalq in their hands. Policies of Mujahedin Khalq Organization, which had turned its attention to heavy recruiting of younger Iranians from beginning days of Islamic revolution, in fact cost many lives as a result of mistakes and flaws in their policies.
These flaws from one side and heavy propaganda of Islamic regime from another side had a heavy cost for Mujahedin Khalq Organization, or MEK, which presented itself as the only alternative for Islamic regime. After migration of main MEK leadership and the first president of Islamic regime, Mr. Abulhassan Banisadr who was deposed from office by clerics of Islamic regime, and killing of Mr. Moosa Khiabani and Ashraf Rajavi, who were important elements in MEK leadership inside Iran, The third major foreign based opposition group was formed by Mr. Banisadr, Mr. Rajavi and Mr. Matin-Daftari.
Mr. Matin-Daftari who is a grand child of late Dr. Mohammad Mosadeq had separated himself from Iranian National Front and started a new political entity called “Iranian Democratic National Front”. Start of this new alliance, which was accompanied with a political marriage between Mr. Rajavi and Mr. Banisadr’s daughter, created some new hopes inside and outside the country which did not last very long and one more time, Iranian scattered opposition failed to provide a real solution to the complicated political problems facing Iranian people.
The desperate situation of Iranian opposition outside and paralysis of the opposition inside the country through brutal crackdown has created opportunity for some opportunists to come forward and present themselves as a solution and take advantage of this desperate situation! The most important issue in this regard is understand that current situation is extremely sensitive and our nation is facing the most serious threat on its existence in the history!
This situation calls for a prompt action and a pragmatic solution without getting into many details through endless talks that has not accomplished anything for our nation other than wasting time! Iranian elite need to participate actively in deciding about Interim leadership of a national movement as soon as possible by emphasizing on uniting factors and elements which are shared by as many as possible without insisting or expecting everyone to agree.
Those who expect to apply rules of democracy on a resistance movement like an established democracy are asking for impossible and are part of the problem rather than solution! There is no absolute 100% even in democracies and if we want to move forward then we need to “act” quickly with as much force as we can get and in this scenario, the well known national figures have the highest responsibility and are in highest priority.
As a solution to achieve this, my suggestion is a formal, open, clear, decisive and firm invitation to all nationally recognized figures of opposition by Prince Reza Pahlavi to form the leadership of this movement for the sake of our nation. Public should be informed of anyone declining the invitation or not responding in a formal manner in certain period of time. There is no time to waste! Let’s not let the petty differences in views drive our nation towards a catastrophic destiny. Let’s not wait for others to arrange this gathering for us and prove that we can represent a nation with thousands of years civilization.
Sohrab Ferdows
sohrab@excite.com
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Strange logic
by AlexInFlorida on Thu Jan 31, 2008 03:17 AM PSTYou say "
You egoistically advance your personal ambitions" yet you attack the ego of the previous shah, you even ask for Reza Pahlavi to publish the size and origin of his families wealth as if to imply there is some truth to accusations that were used maliciously to imply his father was a crook. Infact you do everyone a huge service. Because you show that your foolsh comments are based on accusation alone and no evidence. Thats how moronic Iranians of the past were, to remove someone on accusations. Lets look at some hard facts instead, Reza shah's government does what has never been done before, raised literacy from under 10% to over 85%, created a middle class and raised peoples income from $100 to over $2500, it really takes a highly self serving ego if i may say to discredit such an outstanding record, even if it was done undemocratically in 100% opposition to Islamic factions within Iran.
Dear Mr.
by Sohrab_Ferdows on Tue Oct 09, 2007 07:30 AM PDTDear Mr. Rashidian,
Thank you for your constructive contribution and I agree with you that the article did not include some words to convince audience about Reza Pahlavi's leadership. There are two reasons for that. Firstly, I did not intend to suggest Prince Reza Pahlavi as a single "leader" (please read the article more carefully) but an initiator of a process to gather all interested parties together for the interest of the nation. Second, the assumption that Almost every Iranian know Reza Pahlavi and many are familiar with his line of activities throgh interviews and speeches that he has given to well known international media and have been published and discussed in different places on the web. Prince Reza Pahlavi's activities to draw the attention of international community to sufferings of Iranian people, away from politics, and his hard work to convince the world in order to avoid military invasion against our nation could have never been missed by any person interested in destiny of our nation. All I can tell you is: the activities of Reza Pahlavi in direction of struggle of Iranian people for democracy and liberty and reaching the voice of their struggle to international community has been more than any known Iranian political figure as far as substance and effectiveness.
I do not agree with you about excluding monarchy in democratic future of Iran because I do not believe in "exclusive" democracy. I am a secular person but democracy can not be exclusive and you can not even deny the rights of any people who do not agree with you on "secularism" let alone other secular people who do not agree with you about the political system. It is a false assumption if we believe democracy can only materialize in the format of a "republic" state. Democracy is about the process rather than format of a system. If you believe in democracy then you should respect the will of the people and attempt to implement your truely democratic wishes in the format that people choose to have for their national system.
My concern is my people and my homeland which have been left under tyrany of the most barbaric system by those who contributed greatly to the comming of this evil system with all kinds of unsubstantiated propaganda and claims which helped in disrupting the stability of our nation for the interest of power hungry mullahs and those who were hopeful to get something for themselves out of this so called "revolution". I understand your frustration but you seem to be totally hopeless in your view about who should be doing "anything" about this situation. I don't know how old you are but the people who had the same line of thought that you have today helped very much in creating this situation for our nation and when they were pushed out of ruling circle then they blamed everything on previous system! It is always easy to do things like this and ignore our own shortcomings and failures but we will not get any closer to a realistic solution by doing so. Lastly, please stay away from intellectualistic "cliche" and stick to reality because that is the only way that you can be effective in achiving a real and practical solution.
Regards
Sohrab Ferdows
re: Couldn't agree more ...(to Q) ????????????
by Kar_va_Zahmat (not verified) on Tue Oct 09, 2007 04:41 AM PDTQ
In your writing, you seem to say that the opposition from inside iran is weak and unable to do anything effective. I cannot agree with that statetment more. COULD IT BE THAT MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN IRAN ARE HAPPY WITH THE STATUS QUO AND THE IRI SYSTEM AS IT IS? ESPECIALLY SEEING AND HEARING THE SO CALLED OPPOSITION OUTSIDE OF IRAN, THAT MAY BE SUFFICIENT REASON NOT TO DO ANYTHING AGAINST IRI GOVERNMENT INSIDE IRAN. THAT IS THE LOGIC THAT SAYS, WE REALLY DON'T HAVE A BETTER ALTERNATIVE TO IRI AT THIS TIME.
re: Couldn't agree more ...(to Q) ????????????
by Kar_va_Zahmat (not verified) on Tue Oct 09, 2007 04:40 AM PDTQ
In your writing, you seem to say that the opposition from inside iran is weak and unable to do anything effective. I cannot agree with that statetment more. COULD IT BE THAT MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN IRAN ARE HAPPY WITH THE STATUS QUO AND THE IRI SYSTEM AS IT IS? ESPECIALLY SEEING AND HEARING THE SO CALLED OPPOSITION OUTSIDE OF IRAN, THAT MAY BE SUFFICIENT REASON NOT TO DO ANYTHING AGAINST IRI GOVERNMENT INSIDE IRAN. THAT IS THE LOGIC THAT SAYS, WE REALLY DON'T HAVE A BETTER ALTERNATIVE TO IRI AT THIS TIME.
why leftist-mosadeghis still act like 1979 ?
by fravahar (not verified) on Tue Oct 09, 2007 04:35 AM PDTi am shocked about all such lefists-mosadeghis that helped khoemini on power and still continue their 1979 backwarded behavior, for all them information reza pahlavi is inside iran the most respected, ask your families or neighbors in iran. i guess the only reason why, each time when a democratic movement against MULLAHS in iran beginn, and these leftist -mosadeghis of 1979 try to finish it and damage it, is very clear. they want only their own people and if they can not put the dead body of mosadegh or dead mummified body of lenin as leader on such movements, they will try to stop it and damage it. as an iranain who was 12 years old 1979, i just feel pain when i read what those leftist-mosadeghis of 1979 all the times do
why leftists-mosadeghis are stil in 1979?
by fravahar (not verified) on Tue Oct 09, 2007 04:26 AM PDTi am shocked about all such lefists-mosadeghis that helped khoemini on power and still continue their 1979 backwarded behavior, for all them information reza pahlavi is inside iran the most respected, ask your families or neighbors in iran. i guess the only reason that everyone when a democratic movement against MULLAHS in iran beginns and these leftist -mosadeghis of 1979 try to finisht and damaget, is very clear. they want only their own people and if the dead body of mosadegh or lenin can not be the leader of any movement so they try to stop it, an iranaih who was 12 years old 1979 i just feel pain when i read what those öleftist-mosadeghis of 1979 all the times do
Mr.Q Sorry, I did not
by Jahanshah Rashidian on Tue Oct 09, 2007 02:53 AM PDTMr.Q
Sorry, I did not understand your answer unless you hinted that any dictatorial regime is people’s doomed fate.
My question to Mr Ferdows was: “why the author attempts to legitimise Reza Pahlavi’s leadership?”. You addressed your message to me without however answering this question.
So once again, we need a national movement to lead our oppressed people to a democratic and secular regime, but not to another dictatorship. An opposition which can be a springboard for other dictators is not necessary, it is a waste ot time.
In the meanwhile, let me add my suggestion: a democratic and secular movement can be formed abroad better than inside country because of the execrable repression in Iran.
There are enough patriotic and intellectual Iranians for such a task. For such a movement, we need people with no link or sympathy for the past two dictatorial regimes. People with clean background and democrat and secular in form and concept-- a prince, a bearded or veiled leaders do not fit to it.
Couldn't agree more Rashidian, current opposition is damaging
by Q on Tue Oct 09, 2007 01:41 AM PDTto any real democracy movement.
I also agree that legitimacy must flow from inside Iran not outside. As such, we really have no business "designing" any kind of coalition. It would be meaningless unless and until the people inside the country back it in a serious manner.
Lastly, there is something to be said about this distinct LACK of serious movements from inside Iran. Some blame this on extreme repression, but I think it's more complex than that. People are Iran are capable of a lot more than we are seeing right now, and they have shown it in the past.
We must admit that at this moment the number of Iranians willing to put their lives on the line for greater democracy is very low. That's the fundemental reality.
Why Reza Pahlavi?
by Jahanshah Rashidian on Tue Oct 09, 2007 01:24 AM PDTDespite of a long piece, you did not even bring forth a few words to convince your audience to adhere Reza Phalavi’s leadership!
You egoistically advance your personal ambitions at the expense of people's interests and wishes with out reasoning Reza Pahlavi’s competence and legitimacy for his leadership.
It is true that the IRI is one of the most barbaric regimes in the world, but it is also a by-product of Islam and despotism to which the Pahlavi Dynasty belonged too.
If you are secular and democrat, you would exclude monarchy, especially this corrupt family, from any fair alternative to the plague of the IRI.
Your attempts to legitimate the Pahlavi Dynasty, and furthermoe, Reza Pahlavi as the legitimate crown prince, are as illogical and unpopular as the legitimacy and popularity of the IRI.
Monarchy was rejected by a very majority of Iranians and is for ever dead. There is no reason to attempt to reanimate its rotten cadaver, unless monarchists, in vain, attempt to disturb the process of an inevitable change in which Iran can be a democratic, secular and modern republic.
In reality, monarchy like any Islamic alternative is a stone on the way of democratic solutions to the IRI. Without monarchists and other Islamic opposition like Mojahedins, Melli Mazhabi, 2 end Khordadi, Ganji and his dubious wire pullers… Iranian people have less confusion to confront the whole plague of the IRI. They actually are those who waste time of people's struggles.
A democratic front is of course necessary for a national movement against any dictatorial regime, if Reza Pahlavi wants to join such a front, first he has to give up his claim for his Father’s throne and honestly publish size and origin of his family’s wealth and finally he must denounce his father's dictatorship.
Good Article
by Ardavan 12 (not verified) on Mon Oct 08, 2007 11:32 PM PDTTo those who believe IRI is best for now, SHAME ON YOU. Godbless the minorities specially my kurdish brothers who take arms against this government. We need to get united first, take care the IRI first and then we can move on to who is the puppet and who is not. However the only alternative for Iran is not an islamic nor monarcy..its a federal....
Hey NorCal Madarjendeh
by So Cal (not verified) on Mon Oct 08, 2007 10:11 PM PDTWhy don't you take the lead on this? Put your money where your fvcking mouth is, modajendeh!?
Sohrab Khan, we don't have a reliable alternative to the current
by jeesh_nakon_bacheh (not verified) on Mon Oct 08, 2007 07:57 PM PDTThat is a fact. Iranians deserve better than the current regime, but look around you outside and inside Iran. All those who claim to be opposition, are hanging either in US or Israeli pants. We don't need them as alternative. They are worse than mullahs. Look at MKO and Pahlavi parasts. They are despicable. Their leader during the Iran-Iraq war used to call Saddam the murderer as "father Saddam". You go figure the rest. Pahlavis we had them for 30 some years, we know what they are. These oppositions are all the 21st century versions of Shaboon Bimokh. My guess is that we are better off with the current regime, and should hope that as it has over the last 30 years, it keeps evolving to a better system.
regards.
Thank you for the feedback
by Sohrab Ferdows (not verified) on Mon Oct 08, 2007 04:54 PM PDTI wonder why Mr Ezzatollah Sahabi or one of others do not step forward and initiate some action to form a coalition? They are either happy with current condition or do not see it in themselves to be able to do it and have given up. it would be great if anyone can do anything to break this impasse.
If you believe that Islamic regime is better than other "alternatives" (which is a strange interpretation drawn from this article because there is no talk about alternative here) then you can use your vote when it comes to choosing "alternative". If you are serious about making a point without bringing up some general and baseless statement with no factual value then please bring your arguments accompanied with your suggested solution.
The point in any discussion is to get to a conclusion which brings us one step closer to solving our problems. all I see so far can not be interpreted in any way other than same old moaning which many people in Iranian community, especially those who think Islamic republic is better than all "alternatives", are expert in that.
If you really believe there is a problem that needs to be addressed and think that you have a valid argument, which can be presented in a logical manner to help in solving the problem, please feel free to bring that up and it would be even better and more credible if you could put your real name under that which will be appreciated greatly.
sweet dreams
by Anonymous1 (not verified) on Mon Oct 08, 2007 04:50 PM PDT"SOHRAB" Wrote: "Public should be informed of anyone declining the invitation or not responding in a formal manner in certain period of time." IT SOUND LIKE YOU ARE CREATING A NEW SAVAK LIKE GROUP RIGHT OF THE BAT TO FiGHT FOR YOUR VERSION OF "DEMOCRACY". As much as we want to get rid of these Mullahs your dream movment/regime will be worst, Sir! Good night and sweet dreams.
To Daryush
by NorCal (not verified) on Mon Oct 08, 2007 02:24 PM PDT"what alternatives? At this time IRI is the best. All alternatives are blood sucking dictators"
.
I am not sure if I agree with you completely. Yes, the alternatives are slim picking specially outside of Iran. Most opposition outside Iran are tainted by the AJNABI money and given the chance they will be dictatorial than IR. But there are still good alternatives in Iran. I can think of one name: Ezzatollah Sahabi for example. Here is a person who definitely is not on the take from foreigners, has the good of Iran in mind, is very popular with the student movement and also has a very impressive history of resistance.
.
In any event, my point was that Reza Pahlavi ain't it.
I feel mentally numb
by not-Shahi (not verified) on Mon Oct 08, 2007 02:04 PM PDTAfter reading this long piece I feel mentally numb. What was the point of this convoluted history lesson? Just to advocate the leadership of "prince" Reza Pahlavi? And why him? What kind of credentials does he have, except the fact that he is the son of a coward megalomaniac who betrayed his people and his country. No sorry, we don't need another American puppet to take us to the "tamadone-bozorg." To take us to the glory of the ancient empire. Shah Kaput. Understand?
NorCal
by Daryush (not verified) on Mon Oct 08, 2007 02:00 PM PDTwhat alternatives? At this time IRI is the best. All alternatives are blood sucking dictators
You lost me
by NorCal (not verified) on Mon Oct 08, 2007 01:06 PM PDTIt was all fine and good until you got to Reza Pahlavi. Why him? He has no credentials other than his DNA. Any movement under his leadership will be rejected by the majority of Iranians for a variety of reasons least of which is because he is seen as Nokar-e-Amrica just like his father.
.
If you wrote this piece just to put in a plug for Reza Phalavi, you have wasted your time. If you are serious about what you write, there are much better alternative both inside and outside of Iran.